Madison Street stores, including one hit by crash-and-grab thieves, open on Christmas

Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune

Scymaria Weeks, 6, already opened her Christmas gifts before shopping at Yolo Ladies Ware and Shoes with her mother, who was looking for an outfit for Christmas dinner. Stores on Madison Street were open for business Christmas Day.

Scymaria Weeks, 6, already opened her Christmas gifts before shopping at Yolo Ladies Ware and Shoes with her mother, who was looking for an outfit for Christmas dinner. Stores on Madison Street were open for business Christmas Day. (Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune)

Christmas morning had been the "best day ever" since she received a Baby Alive doll and Easy Bake Oven. But now it was time to do some shopping.

Scymaria's mom, Jilliane Thomas, was on the hunt for new clothing for herself, saying she'd been so focused on her children and on preparing for a Christmas party that "the last thing on my list was my outfit."

While virtually all the major Chicago retail hubs were deserted Thursday, their shops closed for the holiday and their workers home with family, Christmas shopping remained in full force along a lesser-known stretch of stores in West Garfield Park.

Along Madison Street from Karlov to Springfield avenues, people bustled in and out of dozens of shops while cars honked along the street outside, jockeying for parking spots.

Christmas Day shopping has become something of a tradition in the area, and shopkeepers say the locals have come to rely on the stores being available for business.

"There aren't as many crowds, and it's relaxing to shop today," said Edrick Starks, who stopped by a few shoe stores. "This is Madison. It's the shopping institution of the West Side. No matter what, they're going to be open."

Luis Olmeda stood outside the Zumiez store at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg beside a stroller stuffed with bags from J.C. Penney and Vans. He carried his 1-year-old daughter, Natalia, because a new Pintail longboard skateboard sat where she normally would.

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Some customers said they were buying last-minute gifts for afternoon or evening festivities. Others were treating themselves to new outfits to wear to upcoming holiday parties. And some shoppers simply didn't want to wait to buy things they'd had their eye on with cash gifts they'd just received.

Starks said he'd been looking forward to spending his holiday out shopping.

"I've been waiting for this day. It's a weekday, I don't work tomorrow and I love shopping," he said. "I'm ready to buy myself a new outfit, treat myself to something nice."

The owners of one Madison Street clothing and shoe store, Cisco Nyc, were excited to be open Christmas Day. The store was a target last month of "crash-and-grab" burglars. Multiple thieves stripped the store of its merchandise after crashing a minivan through its doors Nov. 26.

Once the red Dodge Caravan came to a rest in the store's large, marble-floor lobby, three other cars pulled up and thieves cleared the shelves within minutes, police said. The burglars stripped clothes off mannequins too.

Manager Dean Shaibi said the thieves were after the store's designer Robin'sJean, jeans, which are noted for their Swarovski crystal embellishments and run from $200 to $700. The store also displays high-end shoes, costing up to $1,300 a pair, from brand names such as PRSVR and Marc Jacobs.

No arrests have been made in connection with the theft, Chicago Police Department spokesman Thomas Sweeney said.

"The whole thing was so odd, just to come in and see a car parked inside the lobby of the store," said salesman Geno Rhodes.

Rhodes' cousin Akeem Johnson was among those who stopped by Thursday.

"I'm supporting these guys. They've been through a lot right here," Johnson said after exchanging hugs with employees. Other customers who visited the store Thursday offered similar regards of support.

Rhodes said Cisco Nyc has opened on Christmas Day for at least four years, and employees were expecting some light traffic through the afternoon. He said he thinks the customers shop on Christmas because it's the best way to avoid crowds.

"I don't mind working today at all," Rhodes said before running out to grab coffee for the store's six employees. "It's a good job with good people. It's just like being with family."

Customer Dre Bush said he went to Cisco Nyc Thursday to spend his Christmas money.

"I get money for Christmas, not gifts," he said. "So I want to go out and get something."